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Sunday, May 17, 2015

LUMINOSITY, BIG N BAD WIN SATURDAY NIGHT 42G CO-FEATURES

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2015—A repeating Luminosity (George Brennan, $7.40) and Big N Bad (Eric Carlson, $26.20) shared the Saturday night glory, winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $42,000 Open Handicaps.

Luminosity, from outside post position No. 7 in the weekly marquee trot, plotzed into a pocket behind Dewycolorintheline (Jordan Stratton). That one threw down early intervals of :27.3 and :56.4 before Stan the Man (Jason Bartlett) moved from fourth.

“Stan” didn’t do much for the cause, including 3-4 fave Obrigado (Mark MacDonald), who was operating from third-over. Meanwhile, “Dewy” found a 1:25.3 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-half lead into the lane.  However, Luminosity edged out and by, winning by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:54.2.

Obrigado and Il Mago (Dan Dube), both compromised by a stagnant tow, rallied for second and third, respectively. Dewycolorintheline and Tweet Me (Tyler Buter) rounded out the payees.

            For second Luminosity , a 5-year-old Cash Hal gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, it was his sixth win in 15 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $18.60, with the triple returning $75.50.

The week’s featured pace had Big N Bad, from post No, 3, have no such issues hitchin’ a ride. He wound up second-up behind 7-5 choice Fool Me One (Brennan) as that one put the heat upon Sapphire City (MacDonald).

Sapphire City, at a baker’s-dozen-to-one, had led through sub-sections of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:24.2. He dispatched former New York Sire Stakes champ Fool Me Once and owned a length-and-half lead in and out of the final turn.

Unfortunately for Sapphire City and his legions, unwanted company was coming in the form of a pocketed The Real One (Pat Lachance) and Big N Bad. The latter whipped the former by a half-length in 1:52.4, with P H Supercam (Bartlett), Sapphire City and Casimir Jitterbug (Buter) settling for the minor moolah.

The five check-getters were separated by 1¾ lengths at the wire.

            For fifth choice Big N Bad, a 5-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding owned by Vincent Laurenzo and trained by Jennifer Sabot, it was his fifth win in 11 ’15 tries. The exacta paid $76.50, the triple returned $400 and the superfecta paid $3,182.
                                                                        
The Raceway’s live season continues Saturday night (post time 7:10 PM). After that, it’s Monday (7:10 PM), a “French-centric” Tuesday (1 PM, second round of the Jackpot Next Door Claiming Series), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 PM). Note Sunday matinees are done until November. Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.